Carbon dioxide pipeline

ABSTRACT

Carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere are reduced and activities requiring CO 2 , such as enhanced oil field recovery, are promoted, by collecting CO 2  in a pipeline from at least two different CO 2  production facilities and delivering the CO 2  through the pipeline to one or more CO 2  consumption facilities. Carbon dioxide emission reduction credit associated with the transfer of CO 2  through the pipeline is tracked.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to methods and systems for reducing the release of CO₂ into the atmosphere. In particular, this invention relates to methods and systems for collecting CO₂ in a pipeline from natural and man-made CO₂ producers and delivering the collected CO₂ to one or more CO₂ consumers.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Background

[0004] Carbon dioxide is introduced into the atmosphere from many natural and man-made sources. Natural sources of CO₂ include respiration, fermentation and underground gas deposits. Man-made sources of CO₂ include hydrocarbon combustion, calcination of calcium carbonate, and a wide variety of chemical reduction processes relying upon the oxidation of carbon, carbon monoxide and other carbon based compounds.

[0005] A correlation has been established between an increase in CO₂ in the atmosphere over the past century and an increase in global temperature. If both trends continue, then the resulting global warming is predicted to have severe environmental consequences. To stop the global warming, governments are considering regulations to limit the introduction of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Among proposed incentives to reduce CO₂ emissions are various forms of CO₂ Emission Reduction Credit (“ERC”) to be generated by reductions of CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere and designed to reflect the monetary benefit to society of such reductions. To reduce the economic impact of the regulations, facilities unwilling or unable to reduce CO₂ emissions are expected to be able to satisfy regulatory requirements by purchasing ERC on the open market from facilities generating ERC by reducing atmospheric CO₂ emissions. The proposed regulatory efforts highlight an urgent need to reduce the amount of CO₂ being introduced into the atmosphere.

[0006] Oil provides the modem world with energy and raw materials for a wide variety of applications. However, worldwide oil production appears to be leveling off and is predicted to begin declining over the next decade as oil reserves are depleted. Because oil is a non-renewable resource and oil supplies will eventually be exhausted, considerable efforts are being directed towards developing alternatives to oil. To provide time to convert from oil to oil alternatives, and to minimize the economic and social upheaval associated with the conversion, there is an urgent need to maintain oil production from mature fields for as long as possible.

[0007] Carbon dioxide flooding is a proven technology for enhancing oil recovery from depleted oil fields. When supercritical CO₂ is injected into a field above its minimum miscibility pressure, the supercritical liquid acts as a solvent with the C₅-C₁₂ fraction of the oil in rock pores, swelling and expanding the oil and lowering its viscosity greatly. The CO₂ is typically injected into a pattern of single injection wells surrounded by multiple producing wells. The CO₂ miscible zone spreads outwards pushing an oil zone ahead of it. To prevent the lower viscosity miscible zone from “breaking out”, water injection is often alternated with CO₂ for a less permeable barrier to CO₂ shortcut.

[0008] When oil begins to flow, some weeks or months later, some of the injected CO₂ returns to the surface dissolved in the oil. This CO₂ retains its value, and can be separated and re-injected. Eventually, some fields reach a self-sustaining inventory of CO₂, and at that point can recover all the recoverable oil without additional CO₂ purchases. When a field reaches its economic end, the wells are pumped solid with concrete, sealing a measured inventory of CO₂ into the formation for periods of geologic time.

[0009] However, CO₂ flooding has not been extensively adopted. One problem with CO₂ flooding has been the high costs associated with pipelines carrying CO₂. A CO₂ pipeline operates at ambient temperature but at very high pressure (2000 psi) in order to maintain the CO₂ in its dense supercritical phase. Another problem with CO₂ flooding has been finding supplies of CO₂ sufficient to support CO₂ flooding.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,420 discloses enhanced recovery of crude oil from oil fields using carbon dioxide obtained in connection with a process of making single cell protein. The '420 patent discloses that the most important problem in enhanced oil recovery is finding an economical CO₂ source, and that highly desirable are sources of substantially pure CO₂ that are available for direct use in an oil field.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,544 discloses a process using a hydrocarbon fuel to drive an electric generator and recovering CO₂ from an exhaust stream. The '544 patent discloses that carbon dioxide in quantities sufficiently large enough for commercial exploitation generally has come from naturally occurring underground supplies, as by-products of the operation of a primary process, such as the manufacture of ammonia or a hydrogen reformer, and in the exhaust gases from burning various hydrocarbon fuels. The '544 patent discloses that one of the largest problems faced by carbon dioxide users is the problem of transportation from the place of production to the place of use.

[0012] In the past, each oil field needing CO₂ for enhanced oil recovery has obtained the CO₂ either from a single dedicated CO₂ producing facility constructed at the oil field or from a single underground CO₂ deposit via a dedicated pipeline. However, the costs associated with building a different CO₂ producing facility or CO₂ pipeline for each oil field are prohibitive.

[0013] There is an urgent need for new methods of economically enhancing recovery from oil fields and of minimizing CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention provides methods of reducing CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere by using a pipeline to collect CO₂ from at least two different CO₂ production facilities and then delivering the collected CO₂ through the pipeline to one or more CO₂ consumption facilities where the CO₂ is needed. In embodiments the CO₂ from the pipeline is injected underground into one or more oil fields for use in enhanced oil recovery.

[0015] The present invention also provides methods and systems of tracking CO₂ emission reduction credit (ERC) generated when CO₂ emissions from at least two different CO₂ production facilities are collected in a pipeline and delivered to one or more CO₂ consumption facilities. The ERC can be sold to CO₂ production facilities that are unwilling or unable to reduce CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere as a way of satisfying government emission regulations.

[0016] By collecting the CO₂ produced by a number of different facilities into a single pipeline for delivery, the present invention provides CO₂ consumption facilities with a readily available and economical source of CO₂. The present invention reduces the total amount of CO₂ introduced into the atmosphere by efficiently putting CO₂ collected in the pipeline to beneficial use in, e.g., enhanced oil field recovery. The present invention also provides a mechanism for tracking and redistributing ERC that can aid in reducing the regulatory burden associated with reducing total CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The preferred embodiments of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

[0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a CO₂ pipeline running between three different CO₂ production facilities and one CO₂ consumption facility.

[0019]FIG. 2 illustrates a system/method for tracking CO₂ emission reduction credits.

[0020]FIG. 3 illustrates a computer system upon which embodiments of the invention can be implemented.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of tracking CO₂ emission reduction credits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The present invention uses a pipeline to transfer CO₂ from at least two different CO₂ production facilities to at least one CO₂ consumption facility.

[0023] The CO₂ production facilities each include a CO₂ producer (i.e., a source of CO₂), which can be natural or man-made.

[0024] One natural CO₂ producer is a natural underground CO₂ deposit. Carbon dioxide deposits have been found in natural springs or wells. Naturally occurring underground supplies of CO₂ have been found in Colorado, Wyoming and Mississippi.

[0025] Man-made CO₂ producers include coal gasification facilities. A coal gasification facility converts coal, coke or char to gaseous products by reaction with air, hydrogen, oxygen, steam, or a mixture thereof. Products include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, and some other chemicals in a ratio dependent upon the particular reactants employed and the temperatures and pressures within the reactors, as well as upon the type of treatment which the gases from the gasifier undergo subsequent to their leaving the gasifier.

[0026] Another man-made source of CO₂ is a facility for generating power by combusting coal or hydrocarbons. Combustion is an exothermic oxidation reaction. In the presence of sufficient oxygen, coal, which is primarily carbon, is oxidized to CO₂ (i.e., C+O₂→CO₂) Hydrocarbons, for example carbohydrates, are oxidized to CO₂ and water (i.e., C₆H₁₂O₆→6CO₂+6H₂O).

[0027] Still another man-made CO₂ producer is a facility for calcining carbonates. Preferably, the carbonates that are to be calcined include one or more of magnesium and calcium. Thermal decomposition of, e.g., magnesite (MgCO₃) produces magnesium oxide and releases CO₂ (i.e., MgCO₃→MgO+CO₂). Thermal decomposition of limestone (CaCO₃) produces calcium oxide (CaO, lime) and releases CO₂ (i.e., CaCO₃→CaO+CO₂). Thermal decomposition of dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) produces calcium oxide, magnesium oxide and CO₂ (i.e., CaMg(CO₃)₂→CaO+MgO +2CO ₂). A facility for calcining such carbonates can be used to produce various cements in addition to CO₂.

[0028] Many industrial processes rely upon the “shift reaction” (i.e., CO+H₂O→H₂+CO₂) to form hydrogen, with CO₂ released as an unwanted by-product. A facility for producing hydrogen via the shift reaction thus forms large amounts of waste CO₂.

[0029] The shift reaction can be used in facilities for reducing a metal-containing compound to form a metal. For example, smelting facilities can isolate various metals (M), preferably transition metals, more preferably iron, from metal-containing compounds in ore by reducing the metal-containing compounds with hydrogen from the shift reaction. Preferably, the metal-containing compounds are metal oxides, and the metal oxides are reduced by the hydrogen to form the metal, with water as a by-product (e.g., MO_(x)+xH₂→M +xH₂O). To avoid transporting highly combustible hydrogen gas over large distances, the hydrogen used in the smelting is produced by the shift reaction at the smelting site and CO₂ is released as a by-product. In an alternative process, metal oxide in ore can be reduced with carbon monoxide to produce metal, with CO₂ as a by-product (i.e., MO_(x)+xCO→M +xCO₂).

[0030] Hydrogen from the shift reaction is also used to produce ammonia (e.g., 3H₂+N₂→2NH₃). Facilities for synthesizing ammonia typically produce the hydrogen on-site and release the CO₂ by-product of the shift reaction into the atmosphere.

[0031] Still another man-made source of CO₂ is a facility for fermenting sugar or starch into alcohol (e.g., C₆H₁₂O₆→2C₂H₅OH+2CO₂). Fermentation is a chemical change induced by a living organism or enzyme, specifically bacteria or the microorganisms occurring in unicellular plants such as yeast, molds, of fungi. Carbon dioxide production facilities relying upon fermentation include gasohol production facilities and breweries.

[0032] Other CO₂ production facilities include petroleum cracking facilities, where CO₂ can be released as a result of the partial combustion of hydrocarbons with air.

[0033] According to the present invention a pipeline is used to collect CO₂ from at least two different CO₂ production facilities and to deliver the collected CO₂ through the pipeline to one or more CO₂ consumption facilities. Preferably, the at least two different CO₂ production facilities have different methods of CO₂ production. For example, preferably the at least two different CO₂ production facilities produce CO₂ as a by-product of different industrial processes each relying upon a different combination of chemical reactions. In embodiments, the at least two different CO₂ production facilities can be at least three CO₂ production facilities. In other embodiments, the one or more CO₂ consumption facilities can be two or more CO₂ consumption facilities.

[0034] The pipeline carries CO₂ with minimal or no leakage. Preferably, the pipeline carries CO₂ as a supercritical fluid. The pipeline can be constructed using techniques known in the art.

[0035] The CO₂ consumption facilities each include a CO₂ consumer (i.e., a “sink” for CO₂). The CO₂ consumer can be, for example, a facility for carbonating beverages or a facility for filling CO₂ into high pressure gas cylinders. Preferably, the CO₂ consumer includes at least one oil field, and CO₂ from the pipeline is injected into the at least one oil field to enhance the recovery of oil from the oil field by methods known in the art. In embodiments, oil and CO₂ are pumped from an oil field, the CO₂ is separated from the oil, and the separated CO₂ is recycled by injection back into the oil field to promote additional oil recovery.

[0036] In contrast to a conventional CO₂ pipeline, which either connects a single CO₂ production facility to an on-site oil field or connects a natural underground CO₂ deposit to an oil field, the CO₂ pipeline of the present invention connects at least two different CO₂ production facilities to at least one CO₂ consumption facility over large distances. In embodiments, the at least two CO₂ production facilities can each be separated by 0.5 or more, 1 or more, 2 or more, or 10 or more miles. In other embodiments, the at least two CO₂ production facilities and the at least one CO₂ consumption facility can each be separated by 0.5 or more, 1 or more, 2 or more, or 10 or more miles. In still other embodiments, each of the at least two CO₂ production facilities can be separated by 5 or more, 10 or more, 25 or more, or 100 or more miles from each of the at least one CO₂ consumption facility.

[0037]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a CO₂ pipeline 110 connects CO₂ producers 120, 122 and 124 with CO₂ consumer 130.

[0038] The collection of CO₂ in a pipeline from at least two CO₂ production facilities and the delivery of the CO₂ through the pipeline to one or more CO₂ consumption facilities results in a reduction in CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere. To limit global warming, governments worldwide are discussing regulations limiting total CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere. Governments are also considering the use of CO₂ emission reductions credit, which can be bought and sold on the open market, as an incentive to CO₂ producers to limit atmospheric CO₂ emissions, preferably to zero.

[0039] In embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methods of tracking CO₂ emission reduction credit generated when CO₂ is collected in a pipeline from at least two different CO₂ production facilities and the CO₂ is then delivered through the pipeline to one or more CO₂ consumption facilities.

[0040]FIG. 2 illustrates embodiments of the inventive systems and methods for tracking CO₂ emission reduction credits. A pipeline 210 connects CO₂ producer 220 with CO₂ consumer 230. The pipeline 210 is part of a pipeline operation facility 240, which operates the pipeline 210. The CO₂ producer 220 is part of a CO₂ production facility 250, which operates the CO₂ producer 220. The CO₂ consumer 230 is part of a CO₂ consumption facility 260, which operates the CO₂ consumer 230.

[0041] Preferably, the CO₂ producer 220 is a facility for gasifying coal, a facility for combusting coal or hydrocarbons to generate power, a facility for calcining calcium carbonate, a facility for reducing a metal-containing compound to form a metal, or a facility for synthesizing ammonia.

[0042] Preferably, the CO₂ consumer 230 includes at least one oil field.

[0043] The flow of CO₂ from the CO₂ production facility 250 through the pipeline 210 to the CO₂ consumer 230 in the CO₂ consumption facility 260 generates CO₂ emission reduction credit by preventing the CO₂ from CO₂ producer 220 from entering the atmosphere.

[0044] The pipeline 210, the CO₂ production facility 250, and the CO₂ consumption facility 260 are all connected to a computer system 270 (shown in more detail in FIG. 3).

[0045] Also connected to computer system 270 is a non-ERC generating CO₂ production facility 290 including a CO₂ producer 280. The CO₂ producer 280 emits CO₂ into the atmosphere. As a result, to meet regulatory requirements the non-ERC generating CO₂ production facility 290 needs ERCs to offset the atmospheric CO₂ emissions of CO₂ producer 280.

[0046] The computer system 270 tracks the ERC generated by the flow of CO₂ through the pipeline 210 and transfers ownership of the ERC to the non-ERC generating CO₂ production facility 290 in exchange for predetermined assets, such as money, from the non-ERC generating CO₂ production facility 290. The vertical lines with arrows on both ends in FIG. 2 represent flows of information regarding, e.g., ownership of ERCs and money between the computer system 270 and the pipeline operation facility 240, the CO₂ production facility 250, the CO₂ consumption facility 260 and the non-ERC generating CO₂ production facility 290, respectively.

[0047] Embodiments of the present invention providing a system for tracking CO₂ emission reduction credit are illustrated in FIG. 2. The system includes the computer system 270 including a processor having a communications interface (as will be shown in FIG. 3); and a memory configured to hold computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, implement a message reception mechanism configured to receive a message from CO₂ production facility 250 and a pipeline operation facility 240 regarding an amount of CO₂ introduced by the CO₂ production facility 250 into the pipeline 210 operated by the pipeline operation facility 240, an account recording mechanism configured to allocate a predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to one or more of the CO₂ production facility 250 and the pipeline operation facility 240 for the CO₂ introduced into the pipeline 210, a labeling mechanism configured to assign an identification to the amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit allocated for CO₂ delivered, and an exchange mechanism configured to assign ownership of the amount of the CO₂ emission reduction credit to another entity (e.g, non-ERC generating CO₂ production facility 290) in exchange for the another entity providing a predetermined asset to one or more of the CO₂ production facility 250 and the pipeline operation facility 240. In embodiments, the message reception mechanism can be configured to receive another message from the CO₂ consumption facility 260 regarding an amount of the CO₂ withdrawn from the pipeline 210 by the CO₂ consumption facility 260; and the account recording mechanism implemented in the computer system 270 can be configured to allocate another predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to the CO₂ consumption facility 260 for the amount of CO₂ withdrawn from the pipeline 210. In further embodiments, the exchange mechanism can be configured to assign ownership of the another predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to the another entity (e.g., non-ERC generating CO₂ production facility 290) in exchange for the another entity providing another predetermined asset to the CO₂ consumption facility.

[0048]FIG. 2 also illustrates embodiments of the present invention that provide a computer implemented method for tracking emission reduction credits. The inventive method includes steps of receiving a message at a controller 270 from one or more of CO₂ production facility 250 and pipeline operation facility 240 regarding an amount of CO₂ introduced by the CO₂ production facility 250 into a pipeline 210 operated by the pipeline operation facility 240; allocating a predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to one or more of the CO₂ production facility 250 and the pipeline operation facility 240 for the CO₂ introduced into the pipeline 210; associating an identification to the amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit allocated for CO₂ delivered; and assigning ownership of the amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to another entity (e.g., non-ERC generating CO₂ production facility 290) in exchange for the another entity providing a predetermined asset to one or more of the CO₂ production facility 250 and the pipeline operation facility 240. In embodiments, the method includes additional steps of receiving another message from the CO₂ consumption facility 260 regarding an amount of CO₂ withdrawn from the pipeline 210 into the CO₂ consumption facility 260; and allocating another predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to the CO₂ consumption facility 260 for the amount of CO₂ withdrawn from the pipeline 210. In other embodiments, the method can further include a step of assigning ownership of the another predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to the another entity (e.g., non-ERC generating CO₂ production facility 290) in exchange for the another entity providing another predetermined asset to the CO₂ consumption facility 260.

[0049]FIG. 3 illustrates a computer system 301, that shows sub-components of the computer system 270 of FIG. 2, upon which embodiments of the present invention can be implemented. In particular, the message reception mechanism, the account recording mechanism, the labeling mechanism, and the exchanging mechanism discussed above are implemented in computer system 301. The computer system 301 includes a bus 302 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 303 coupled with the bus 302 for processing the information. The computer system 301 also includes a main memory 304, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), and synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)), coupled to the bus 302 for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 303. In addition, the main memory 304 may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions by the processor 303. The computer system 301 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 305 or other static storage device (e.g., programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM)) coupled to the bus 302 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 303.

[0050] The computer system 301 also includes a disk controller 306 coupled to the bus 302 to control one or more storage devices for storing information and instructions, such as a magnetic hard disk 307, and a removable media drive 308 (e.g., floppy disk drive, read-only compact disc drive, read/write compact disc drive, compact disc jukebox, tape drive, and removable magneto-optical drive). The storage devices may be added to the computer system 301 using an appropriate device interface (e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI), integrated device electronics (IDE), enhanced-IDE (E-IDE), direct memory access (DMA), or ultra-DMA).

[0051] The computer system 301 may also include special purpose logic devices (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) or configurable logic devices (e.g., simple programmable logic devices (SPLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)).

[0052] The computer system 301 may also include a display controller 309 coupled to the bus 302 to control a display 310, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user. The computer system includes input devices, such as a keyboard 311 and a pointing device 312, for interacting with a computer user and providing information to the processor 303. The pointing device 312, for example, may be a mouse, a trackball, or a pointing stick for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor 303 and for controlling cursor movement on the display 310. In addition, a printer may provide printed listings of data stored and/or generated by the computer system 301.

[0053] The computer system 301 performs a portion or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to the processor 303 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, such as the main memory 304. Such instructions may be read into the main memory 304 from another computer readable medium, such as a hard disk 307 or a removable media drive 308. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 304. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0054] As stated above, the computer system 301 includes at least one computer readable medium or memory for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings of the invention and for containing data structures, tables, records, or other data described herein. Examples of computer readable media are compact discs, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, or any other magnetic medium, compact discs (e.g., CD-ROM), or any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, or other physical medium with patterns of holes, a carrier wave (described below), or any other medium from which a computer can read.

[0055] Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the present invention includes software for controlling the computer system 301, for driving a device or devices for implementing the invention, and for enabling the computer system 301 to interact with a human user (e.g., print production personnel). Such software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, development tools, and applications software. Such computer readable media further includes the computer program product of the present invention for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the invention.

[0056] The computer code devices of the present invention may be any interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes, and complete executable programs. Moreover, parts of the processing of the present invention may be distributed for better performance, reliability, and/or cost.

[0057] The term “computer readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to the processor 303 for execution. A computer readable medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical, magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks, such as the hard disk 307 or the removable media drive 308. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as the main memory 304. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that make up the bus 302. Transmission media also may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.

[0058] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying out one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 303 for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions for implementing all or a portion of the present invention remotely into a dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system 301 may receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to the bus 302 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on the bus 302. The bus 302 carries the data to the main memory 304, from which the processor 303 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by the main memory 304 may optionally be stored on storage device 307 or 308 either before or after execution by processor 303.

[0059] The computer system 301 also includes a communication interface 313 coupled to the bus 302. The communication interface 313 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 314 that is connected to, for example, a local area network (LAN) 315, or to another communications network 316 such as the Internet. For example, the communication interface 313 may be a network interface card to attach to any packet switched LAN. As another example, the communication interface 313 may be an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) card, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of communications line. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface 313 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

[0060] The network link 314 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link 314 may provide a connection to another computer through a local network 315 (e.g., a LAN) or through equipment operated by a service provider, which provides communication services through a communications network 316. The local network 314 and the communications network 316 use, for example, electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams, and the associated physical layer (e.g., CAT 5 cable, coaxial cable, optical fiber, etc). The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link 314 and through the communication interface 313, which carry the digital data to and from the computer system 301 maybe implemented in baseband signals, or carrier wave based signals. The baseband signals convey the digital data as unmodulated electrical pulses that are descriptive of a stream of digital data bits, where the term “bits” is to be construed broadly to mean symbol, where each symbol conveys at least one or more information bits. The digital data may also be used to modulate a carrier wave, such as with amplitude, phase and/or frequency shift keyed signals that are propagated over a conductive media, or transmitted as electromagnetic waves through a propagation medium. Thus, the digital data may be sent as unmodulated baseband data through a “wired” communication channel and/or sent within a predetermined frequency band, different than baseband, by modulating a carrier wave. The computer system 301 can transmit and receive data, including program code, through the network(s) 315 and 316, the network link 314 and the communication interface 313. Moreover, the network link 314 may provide a connection through a LAN 315 to a mobile device 317 such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) laptop computer, or cellular telephone.

[0061]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of tracking CO₂ emission reduction credits. Upon receiving a message from one or more of at least two different CO₂ production facilities, a pipeline operation facility, and a CO₂ consumption facility that CO₂ has been diverted from entering the atmosphere, a computer system (such as computer system 270 in FIG. 2) allocates ERC based on the amount of diverted CO₂; associates an identification with the allocated ERC; and assigns ownership to the ERC.

[0062] While the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not confined to the specific details set forth, but includes various changes and modifications that may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of reducing CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere, the method comprising collecting in a pipeline CO₂ from at least two CO₂ production facilities having different methods of CO₂ production; and delivering the CO₂ through the pipeline to at least one CO₂ consumption facility, wherein the pipeline extends between the at least two CO₂ production facilities and the at least one CO₂ consumption facility.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two CO₂ production facilities are differently selected from the group consisting of a natural underground CO₂ deposit, a facility for gasifying coal, a facility for combusting coal or hydrocarbons to generate power, a facility for calcining a carbonate including at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium and calcium, a facility for producing hydrogen, a facility for reducing a metal-containing compound to form a metal, a facility for synthesizing ammonia, and a facility for fermenting sugar or starch.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the at least two CO₂ production facilities are differently selected from the group consisting of a facility for gasifying coal, a facility for combusting coal or hydrocarbons to generate power, a facility for calcining a carbonate including at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium and calcium, a facility for producing hydrogen, a facility for reducing a metal-containing compound to form a metal, and a facility for synthesizing ammonia.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the metal-containing compound is a metal-bearing ore.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the metal comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of transition metals.
 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the metal comprises iron.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two CO₂ production facilities are at least three CO₂ production facilities.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one CO₂ consumption facility is at least two CO₂ consumption facilities.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one CO₂ consumption facility includes at least one oil field.
 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising injecting the CO₂ delivered through the pipeline into the at least one oil field.
 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising pumping oil and CO₂ from the at least one oilfield; and recycling the CO₂ pumped from the at least one oilfield back into the at least one oilfield.
 12. A method of reducing CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere, the method comprising collecting in a pipeline CO₂ from at least two CO₂ production facilities each separated by 0.5 or more miles; and delivering the CO₂ through the pipeline to at least one CO₂ consumption facility, wherein the pipeline extends between the at least two CO₂ production facilities and the at least one CO₂ consumption facility.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least two CO₂ production facilities and the at least one CO₂ consumption facility are each separated by 0.5 or more miles.
 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein each of the at least two CO₂ production facilities is separated by 5 or more miles from each of the at least one CO₂ consumption facility.
 15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least two CO₂ production facilities are differently selected from the group consisting of a facility for gasifying coal, a facility for combusting coal or hydrocarbons to generate power, a facility for calcining a carbonate including at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium and calcium, a facility for producing hydrogen, a facility for reducing a metal-containing compound to form a metal, and a facility for synthesizing ammonia.
 16. A system for tracking CO₂ emission reduction credit, the system comprising a processor having a communications interface; and a memory configured to hold therein computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, implement a message reception mechanism configured to receive a message from one or more of at least two CO₂ production facilities and a pipeline operation facility regarding an amount of CO₂ introduced by the at least two CO₂ production facilities into a pipeline operated by the pipeline operation facility, an account recording mechanism configured to allocate a predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to one or more of the at least two CO₂ production facilities and the pipeline operation facility for the CO₂ introduced into the pipeline, a labeling mechanism configured to assign an identification to the amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit, and an exchange mechanism configured to assign ownership of the amount of the CO₂ emission reduction credit to another entity in exchange for the another entity providing a predetermined asset to one or more of the at least two CO₂ production facilities and the pipeline operation facility.
 17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the at least two CO₂ production facilities have different methods of CO₂ production.
 18. The system according to claim 16, wherein the at least two CO₂ production facilities are differently selected from the group consisting of a facility for gasifying coal, a facility for combusting coal or hydrocarbons to generate power, a facility for calcining a carbonate including at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium and calcium, a facility for producing hydrogen, a facility for reducing a metal-containing compound to form a metal, and a facility for synthesizing ammonia.
 19. The system according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined asset is an amount of money.
 20. The system according to claim 16, wherein the message reception mechanism is configured to receive another message from a CO₂ consumption facility regarding an amount of the CO₂ withdrawn from the pipeline by the CO₂ consumption facility; and the account recording mechanism is configured to allocate another predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to the CO₂ consumption facility for the amount of CO₂ withdrawn from the pipeline.
 21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the exchange mechanism is configured to assign ownership of the another predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to the another entity in exchange for the another entity providing another predetermined asset to the CO₂ consumption facility.
 22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the another predetermined asset is an amount of money.
 23. The system according to claim 20, wherein the CO₂ consumption facility includes at least one oil field.
 24. A computer implemented method for tracking emission reduction credits, the method comprising steps of receiving a message at a controller from one or more of at least two CO₂ production facilities and a pipeline operation facility regarding an amount of CO₂ introduced by the at least two CO₂ production facilities into a pipeline operated by the pipeline operation facility; allocating a predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to one or more of the at least two CO₂ production facilities and the pipeline operation facility for the CO₂ introduced into the pipeline; associating an identification to the amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit; and assigning ownership of the amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to another entity in exchange for the another entity providing a predetermined asset to one or more of the at least two CO₂ production facilities and the pipeline operation facility.
 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the at least two CO₂ production facilities have different methods of CO₂ production.
 26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the at least two CO₂ production facilities are differently selected from the group consisting of a facility for gasifying coal, a facility for combusting coal or hydrocarbons to generate power, a facility for calcining a carbonate including at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium and calcium, a facility for producing hydrogen, a facility for reducing a metal-containing compound to form a metal, and a facility for synthesizing ammonia.
 27. The method according to claim 24, wherein the predetermined asset is an amount of money.
 28. The method according to claim 24, further comprising steps of receiving another message from a CO₂ consumption facility regarding an amount of CO₂ withdrawn from the pipeline into the CO₂ consumption facility; and allocating another predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to the CO₂ consumption facility for the amount of CO₂ withdrawn from the pipeline.
 29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising a step of assigning ownership of the another predetermined amount of CO₂ emission reduction credit to the another entity in exchange for the another entity providing another predetermined asset to the CO₂ consumption facility.
 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the another predetermined asset is an amount of money.
 31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the CO₂ consumption facility includes at least one oil field. 